13.2 Topic-comment structure

Topic-comment structure organizes sentences into two parts: the topic and the comment. This structure helps readers quickly grasp the main idea by establishing a clear focus for each sentence.

While similar to subject-predicate structure, topic-comment emphasizes information flow rather than grammatical roles. It's used differently across languages and communication contexts, helping to introduce new info and maintain coherence.

Understanding Topic-Comment Structure

Concept of topic-comment structure

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• Topic-comment structure organizes information in sentences consisting of topic and comment parts
• Topic introduces subject of discourse appearing at sentence beginning guides reader's attention
• Comment provides information about topic typically following it in sentence
• Structure establishes sentence focus helping readers quickly grasp main idea

Components of topic-comment sentences

• Simple structure noun phrase as topic followed by comment (rest of sentence)
• Complex structures multiple topics or nested topic-comment arrangements within single sentence
• Inverted structures comment precedes topic for emphasis (In the garden, flowers bloom)
• Implied topics understood from context not explicitly stated (It's raining)
• Applies to various sentence types declarative, interrogative, imperative

Topic-comment vs subject-predicate structure

• Subject-predicate structure subject performs action or described predicate contains verb and additional info
• Both organize sentence information often overlap in simple constructions
• Topic-comment emphasizes information flow subject-predicate focuses on grammatical roles
• Topic-comment allows varied sentence structures subject-predicate adheres to stricter grammatical rules
• Subject-predicate more common in English topic-comment prevalent in many Asian languages (Japanese, Korean)

Usage of topic-comment across languages

• Topic-prominent languages (Japanese, Korean) vs subject-prominent languages (English, French)
• Varies between formal and informal communication written and spoken contexts
• Introduces new information maintains conversation coherence emphasizes message elements
• Considers shared knowledge between speakers cultural norms and expectations
• Employed in literary devices rhetorical strategies for persuasive writing
• Manages given and new information controls discourse flow packaging information effectively